Review of Fanny and Alexander (1982) by Iliana M — 10 Jan 2010

An incredible tour-de-force of powerful story-telling with characters stripped to the bare souls and images both frightening and inspiring. All things considered, this is a short 312 minutes; once the cogs get rolling and the characters are developed there seems an endless outcome of adventures they might encounter, conversations they might share, and intimacies we might witness.

Bergman knew from the start of this film's production that it was an extraordinary undertaking, and that such an endeavor required the perfect cast- so he aquired it. Every single one of the twenty-five-or-so central characters is colored perfectly by his or her actor, and this flawless of an ensemble cast has probably never before or since graced the silver screen.

Especially wonderful are our trio of sweet heroes and heroines- played by Allwin, Guve and Froling- and our central antagonist- their torturer, played exquisitely by Jan Malmsjo. The latter part was originally intended for Bergman usual Max von Sydow, and I daresay the ordinarily wonderful actor may have ruined the role's terror; Malmsjo is an actor of such unique intensity and such faraway spirit that there seems no seperation between written character and flesh and blood- they are all one, rendered horrifyingly on Bergman's screen.

This is an experience like nothing else in cinematic history, a real fairy tale for adults, and perhaps Bergman's most mature and comprehesive work- and it is an absolute treasure to behold.